[초청강연] Unleashing the full potential of immunotherapy with synthetic biology

Unleashing the full potential of immunotherapy with synthetic biology
Gene and cell therapies are promising cancer treatment modalities. Despite some promises that
genetically engineered T cells and modified oncolytic viruses have shown, the clinical success has been
limited to few cancer types. This calls for a next-generation immunotherapy. I have been exploring
designer immune systems for safe, strong, selective, and persistent anti-tumor effect.
I will first present an immune cell reprogramming platform for better anti-tumor effect. I have generated
an epigenetic and transcriptional atlas which enables the identification of key driver transcriptional
factors that prevent T cell dysfunction and enhance cytotoxicity. In the second part, I will describe a
“theragnosis” technology that rewires aberrant cancer signaling input to a designer output. For example,
I have redirected ErbB hyperactivity in cancer cells to induce a variety of outputs such as apoptosis,
CRISPR/Cas9 activation, and oncolytic virus replication.
In short, my overarching research goal is to unleash the full potential of immunotherapy
combining my expertise in synthetic biology and immunology.